Door or window framing



Dec. 3, 1940.

H. s. CURREN 2,223,338

DOOR OR WINDOW FRAMING Filed Aug. 17, 1957 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Y HWEOLD 5 CUE/FZ/V' fiwh $72444 ATTO/RNEYS Dec. 3,1940. H. s. CURREN DOOR on wmnow FRAMING F iled Aug. 17, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M; i F MW #2 ATTORNEY 5 Patented Dec. 3, 1940 UNITED STATES 2,223,338 noon on WINDOW FRAMING Harold S. Ourren, Pultneyville, N. Y., assignor to The Curren-Fabrihome Corporation, Francitown, N. H., a corporation of Delaware Application August 1'7,

6 Claims.

This application is a continuation in part of my prior application, Serial No. 107,931, filed October 28, 1936, now Patent 2,094,265, issued September 28, 1937, entitled Building construction. The divisional matter is shown herein in Figs. 1 to 3, and the remaining figures relate to the continuation matter.

The principal object is to provide an improved framing construction for building wall openings,

which construction is adapted to receive and support closures, such as doors, windows, transoms and the like. A more specific object is to provide a framing construction which will allow doors, windows, transoms, etc'., to be manufacl5- tured, prefitted and prefinished completely, and

then readily and easily assembled into the openings, on the site, without requiring cutting, fitting or special skill.

A further object is to provide a framing construction which may be'easily and quickly applied to wall edges, as in finishing openings for closures such as doors, windows and the like, and which will allow adjustment to be made inexpensively in case the closures change in size .25 after original installation, or in case interchangeable use of closures varying somewhat in dimensions is desired.

Other objects andfeatures of the invention will become apparent from the following description, relating to the accompanying drawings, showing a preferred form. The essential characteristics are summarized in the claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a fragmentary View, showing portions of a wall having an opening framed in accordance herewith; Figs. 2 and 3 are horizontal and vertical transverse sectional views respectively, as indicated by the lines 2-2 and 33 on Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a relatively enlarged view, corresponding generally to Fig. 1, showing a modified framing construction at an upper corner of an opening, specifically adapted to serve as a doorway; Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 on Fig. 4, and showing a portion of the framing in separated re- 45 lationship to the fixed parts of a wall; Fig. 6 is a similar view, showing the framing applied to the wall in final position, subject to adjustment; Fig. 7 is a view taken in the plane of the wall, substantially along theline 'l-'! on Fig. 6, showing the preferred construction of springs for use with the present invention; Figs. 8 and 9 are detail views, showing a corner piece for finishing angularly extending adjacent frame parts; Fig. 10 is an assembly view of adjacent portions of two channel members, one coped to fit the other, and

1937, Serial No. 159,461

Fig. 11 is a sectional bottom plan view of the assembly as indicated by the line H--l I on Fig. 10.

'Theconstruction herein shown may be used with pre-fabricated wall or partition units, such as shown and claimed in my patent, above iden- 55 tified. While not in any way confined to such use, the divisional matter is similarly shown herein. Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the character I represents pre-fabricated panel units on each side of a door opening, and 2 represents a similar 10 panel unit interposed between the panels I so that the three units form the doorway. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the units I may com prise a framework including side, top and bottom wooden core pieces in rectangular arrangement 15 and suitably fastened together. One suchcore piece is shown at 3. Adjacent the door opening, on each side of each core piece, and fastened thereto are facing or backing panels 4 and 5, which may extend beyond the core pieces as at 4' 2 and 5', respectively. The facing or backing members may be identical or different on the two sides ofthe unit; plywood, plaster board, composition or insulation board of any kind being examples of practically usable material to form the 2 unit covering.

Theunit 2 represents a short partition or wall section, made similarly to the unit I and having a horizontal core piece 341 passing over the door opening, with thefacing or backing members 4 9 and 5 depending therebeyond, as, already described. Thus, the entire perimeter of the doorway, exclusive of the floor, is in channel effect, and the jamb and head members of the door framing, indicated generally at Ill and II, respectively, may fit or partially occupy the channel effects as guides. The adjacent edges of the sections I and 2 may be held in alignment by keys I (fully shown in my patent identified above) as indicated in dotted lines on Fig. 1, the keys 00- 40 cupying the oppositely facing channels formed by extensions 4' and 5 of the covering. The 1 construction of the head and jamb members or units is substantially identical, as shown, and description of one will suffice for both. i

Inner or normally concealed members of the heads and jambs may comprise wooden or other core strips l2, opposite edge surface portions of which may be made generally to fit and be guided by the channel effects between the wall covering extensions 4' and 5. The surfaces of the core strips which face the doorway in the plane of the wall may be determined by the desired shape of trim cover or molding, with provision for reinforcing such cover at portions thereof which are abutted by or which guide closure members, such as doors, windows and the like; the actual shape depending upon the nature of the closures. The expression trim, as used herein, includes such core strips and the reinforcement. The strips I2 may be held in position by screws l5, which may enter the members 3 or 30., or suitable screw-threaded inserts therein. The screws do not hold the head and jamb members tightly against the fixed frame work, but instead compress yielding means shown as relatively stiff leaf springs l6, which may be retained in sockets or running channels I! on the faces of the core strips l2 remote from the centralregion of the wall opening. Such sockets orchannels hold the leaf springs in generally parallel relationship with the plane of the wall. The leaf springs, as

' shown, are bowed and centrally apertured to receive the screws, so as to be held in position, at least in part, thereby. The free ends of the springs, as shown, bear tightly on the members 3 or 30. and the intermediate portions bear tightly in the bottoms of the sockets or channels I l,

throughout the life'of the framing.

The trim cover or molding, as shown, comprises spring-metal channel shapes 2l l, the web portionsof which may g nerally fit the inside and corner surfaces of the cores l2, portions of the flanges tightly abutting the opposite side edges of said core members. Outwardly from the corner portions there are flange extensions 22, which may besprungover the facing or backing members 4 and 5 ofthe wall unit, and moved back and xforthas desired in snug contact therewith. The

flanges 22 curl inwardly toward the wall in 0- Shape, asshown, but may be of any other sectional shape, forinstance such as those on conventional doortrim facing strips.

By the above described arrangement it will be seen thatthe doorway maybe made somewhat smaller or larger either vertically or horizontally, as desired, without rendering the framing unstable, simplyby turning the screws in the proper direction but without materially altering the active compressive force of the springs. Likewise, adjustment for irregularities of door'edge surfaces (e. g. nonparallelism of sides, etc., as in the event the dooris not truly rectangular) may be effected by manipulation of screws in different regions of a single trim unit without touching the other screws of that unit.

' The use of special corner'trim cover devices to close gaps and the expedient known as mitering may be obviated by coping the end portions of one of the channel members 20, for instance the-two ends of the upper channel member. Such upper trim channel as shown particularly by Fig. 11 is simply cut substantially to fit the configuration of both side trim sections and applied 'while the springs 15 of the jamb framing are compressed beyond what they normally would be insupporting the closure member such as the door. The illustrations show one end of an upper channel 20 cut back, as at 50 and 5l, at respective side margins to fit the rounded marginal portions 22 of the adjacent vertical channel section, additionally at 52 and 53 complementary to the door seat and jamb portions of the vertical channel section, and also at the parallel connecting portions, viz. 54, 55 and '53, so that said connecting portions abut the adjacent matching portions of the vertical channel section in edge to facecontact. Such abnormal compression of the springs It as above mentioned could be used in widening the effective door frame suificiently pleting the framing. may finally be secured to the core structure or to receive the coped ends of the upper or head trim without danger of scratching the finish on the side trim if temporarily held in place to effect trial fitting of the door.

It is to be understood that, the spring adjustment for the jambs may be provided at one side of the framing only since movement of either jamb strip IE will effect narrowing or widening of the doorway.

When the upper trim is in place, then the doorway may be narrowed by manipulation of the screws so that the upper exposed faces of the side or jamb trim cover members will substantially abut the coped edges of the upper or head trim.

The channels 23 of the jamb trim cover are finally snapped into place as illustrated, com- All the metal covers 29 inner framework as by screws, not shown, or (in general accordance with the modified construction described below) by the same screws that hold the core strip l2.

Referring to the modified construction, it may be assumed that the walls ldelineating the opening to'be framed, are of conventional construction, for example, studding, lath and plaster; tile and plaster, with fixed (e. g. wooden, metal or masonry) head and jamb framing as at 30 and 3!. A plaster finish 32 is diagrammatically indicated by broken lines. It may be assumed that the head construction is substantially the same as that of the jamb, as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6.

Each fixed frame member 30 and 3!, in the caseof a door, may be built out, as at one side of the central plane of the door opening parallel to the wall, as by a strip '34, suitably fastened to the members 3% or 3! as the-case may be. These locate and reinforce the trim cover which in general form is the same as that previously described. Plaster-ground strips 35 and 36, for the wallportions 32 (e. g. to gauge the plaster and prevent chipping of it) may be'nailed onto the fixed framework. As shown the strips 35 are attached 'to the strips 34' and the strips 36 directly -to the fixed framing 3!] or 3|, as the case may be.

afford greater clearance for the top molding or trim cover, in sliding it into also be cut back.

It will be observed that the rounded edges of the strips 35 and 33 serve as guides over which the flanges 22 of the cover members 20 can easily position. 36 may be sprung by pressing the members toward the framing in the direction of the plane of the wall.

The e. g. rounded edges act to cam the flanges 22 outwardly the necessary distances. Decorative treatment such as wall paper can be brought smoothly around the strips 35' or 35 and will not be scuifed by the flanges 22 when the cover members 20 are applied. Redecoration can be accomplished easily right up to or under the flanges by moving the flanges back short distances from their set positions. Incidentally doors do not, in most cases, have to be taken off their hinges to permit such movement of the frame cover members to facilitate redecoration.

In order properly to apply the strips 34, 35 and '36 the following procedure is recommended. The ground strip 36 is applied first, making sure that it is plumb. This may necessitate cutting or shimming of the members 30 or 3| if out of plumb. The strip 34 is then applied using a suitable gauge to locate it with'reference to the ground strip 36. The ground strip 35 is then seated in the corner afforded by the strip 34 and the framing 30 or 3|; after which the wall covering (e. g. plaster) is applied flush with the edges of the ground strips. The above procedure as in connection with Figs. 1 to 3; and it will be noted that the C-shaped flange extensions 22,

before application to the wall, span slightly less space than the width of the wall over which they are adapted tobe sprung. Each of the relatively stepped web portions of each trim cover member at one side of the doorway and at the top, has a set of springs l6; mainly to reduce the tendency of the cover members to rock about the springs as might be the case if only a single row of springs were to be used on a cover. The springs are preferably secured by metal eyelets 38 to the respective web portions of the channel. Such eyelets may be headed tightly in retaining relationship to the springs, at counter-punched screw-head-receiving eifects 40 on the web, as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7, so that the springs, eyelets and channels form a self-sustaining unit or sub-assembly. The attaching screws are preferably oval-headed wood screws, adapted to enter the permanent framing 30 or 3|, but the character of the screws depends on the fixed framing which may be wood, metal or masonry. The principal difference between the two constructions described is the omission of rigid movable cores such as I2 from the modified construction, and the supporting of springs directly onthe cover or molding'portions of the trim. It

should be noted that the springs need not be mounted on any part of the trim, but could be securedto or supported in operating position by the fixed framing in suitable fashion. Ordinarily, only one side and one top trim cover assembly for each opening is equipped with springs. The others are plain but with attaching screw openings. The eyelets hold the springs in parallel relationship during placement of the trim covers.

Due to the peculiar shape of the extensions 22 of the trim covers, it is difficult to make joints simply by coping the head trim member and accordingly the edge portions are both out off straight or at right angles as at 42, Fig. 4. If something of a gap is left between the horizontal and vertical trim members, intermediately of the flanges 22, this enables the doors to be more easily widened or narrowed horizontally, in the event the door swells or shrinks after mounting. It always does one or the other. Such small gap is not unsightly, nor is it otherwise disadvantageous. In the previously described construction, the head frame could be raised or lowered readily, but, in the event of installation with tightly abutting relationship of head and jamb trim, it would require recoping in order to narrow the doorway a substantial distance; say in compensating for horizontal shrinkage of the door. In the revised construction the top end of each side molding member 22 coped (generally cornplementary to the surface effects presented by the exposed upper molding) so that the side molding can be moved-freely toward and away from the I wall edge as much as could ever be required for adjustment to compensate for door variations. After the side moldings are set in final position to fit the door, the head molding is then lowered until it abuts the coped surfaces of the side molding, closing the joint at each upper door corner.* -It may have to be raised slightly if the upper edge of the dooris too high when set.

The gap caused by the cutting away of the spring flange portions 22 of the trim cover menibers'at right angles, see Fig. 4, may be effectively closed by corner pieces or braces'itwo'at each corner, i. e. one inside and one outside)" such as indicated at 45 in Figs. 4, 8 and 9. These, as

shown, are made hollow (preferably as metal castings or stampings) and have right angularly disposed open end portions 46,, which are partially flanged inwardly at 41 and formed generally complementary to the flanges 22 at the edges, so as to fit over them. A small gap 48 is shown in Fig. 4

above the coped edges of the side molding mem- "would only be present in case thedoor is found oversize in height.- Each corner pieceor brace 45 may'be' secured by a single screw 49, extendingthrough an inside boss50 onthe' casting or stamping and'into the fixed framework already described. The corner piece is located so as to bring the edge surfaces of it which are complementary to the flanges 22 into close fitting relationship to said flanges after final adjustment. Application of door supports lock plates etc., to the exposed parts of the trim covers and securement of such to the fixed framework as by screws is of course also accomplished after fitting of the framing to the door.

Application of the above principles of construction and adjustment to openings or wall edges other than those of doors is believed obvious in view of prior knowledge and the disclosure hereof, hence, no further illustration is deemed necessary. It will be seen that all the trim and the doors can be furnished prefitted without requiring close manufacturing tolerances, that there is no liklihood of marring the finish in installation and adjustment, and that the arrangement permits any householder to service the closures, to interchange them as he may desire, and to readjust for snugness, simply by the use of a screw driver.

I claim:

1. A door or window trim, comprising a plurality of molding members adapted to extend around an opening in a fixed wall structure to finish the wall edge surfaces, one of which mem' hers is a sheet-metal molding with spring flanges adapted snugly to embrace the wall surfacesat each side of its edges, a reinforcing strip adjacent the concealed face of the molding, a series structure, andheld against dislocationsrelative to -the-wallaopening by such-recesses. I

' 3. Adoor or window framing construction comprising-separate sheet-metal upper and side trim "sections of generally channeled shape with flanges adapted forfitting over and concealing respective edge portions of a building wallopening, the webs of the channels being struckout for forming closure stops, the web at the endiof one section being cut back from the flanges thereofsothat suchendof the section may partially embrace an end portion of-an adjacent section, positioning means including springsadapted to forcezone section away from the wall edge which it conceals, said-positioning means also including fastening members which limit outward movement of the section as moved by the springs, corner finishing members for such adjacent sections having branch portions covering flange parts of both said sections; said finishing members having openings for screws between the branch portions, whereby the corner finishing members may lee-secured to'the building wall -with-the branch portions-in the same relationship to the flanges of thetwo sections on one side of such walL.

4. A door or windowtrim construction for a building wall, comprising a fixed framework bounding an opening in the wall; groundstrips attachedto the fixed framework and having surfaces adapted to bepositioned so as to terminate flush with theexternal decorative surfacingof suchwall on one side ofit,'and trim covers having flanges adapted *to be sprung over the framework to concealthe ground strips, said surfaces of the ground strips extending toward the central principal planejof the wall opening so that the surfaces can act to cam at least'one flange of such cover into position as the cover is applied over the framework;

5. Trim for a framed building opening adapted "for adjustment to snugly receive closures which may vary in size both in height and width com prising channel-shaped sheet metal jamb and:

and slidable relation to each other to permit adjustment, and cap members covering said adjacent' endportions and permittingadjustment of said-members without exposing the ends of same.

6.--Adoor or window frame trim comprising a: plurality of molding members, one of which has -a web adapted to bedisposed in covering relation to an edge of a fixed wall at least .on-one side,

bowed leaf springs, each having a hole, positioned on thenormally concealed side of the web, the holes in-the springs registeringwith openings in the web and concentric means securing said springs to said web, said registering openings being adapted to-receive attaching screws which may extend into portions of the fixed wall and compressthe springs while securing the molding members in operative position.-

' HAROLD S. CUR-BEN. 

